Court bid to limit nurse’s movement

Health officials in Maine have asked a court to limit the movements of American nurse Kaci Hickox, who defied a voluntary quarantine for medical workers who have treated Ebola patients.

Officials filed documents yesterday, following through with a threat to try to isolate her, and a judge has issued a temporary order until a ruling expected today. For now, police are monitoring Ms Hickox and her public interactions but cannot detain her.

The quarantine attempt is shaping up as the nation’s biggest test case yet in the struggle to balance public health and fear of Ebola against personal freedom.

Ms Hickox, who treated Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, says confinement violates her rights. She says she has no symptoms and poses no risk to the public.

Yesterday, Ms Hickox and her boyfriend went on a bike ride and took delivery of a pizza while state officials struggled to reach a compromise in her case.

The state is seeking to limit her travel, keep her out of public places and require a 3ft buffer if she comes into contact with people.